Tampa Bay Lightning Destroy The Canadiens 6-2 In Montreal

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The Tampa Bay Lightning pulled out all the stops and completely dismantled the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 in Game 2 of the Second Round of the 2014-15 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning just played what is undeniably the best game of their post season journey as they systematically dismantled the Montreal Canadiens 6-2 at the Bell Centre, giving the Lightning a 2-0 lead in the series.

We almost feel like the Wizard of Oz will be making an appearance here soon. Power Play goals, Penalty Kill, and Stammer scores. Oh, my! When the action kicked off tonight, we saw some unfortunate parallels to Game 1. The Tampa Bay Lightning seemed to be allowing the Montreal Canadiens to dictate the pace of the game.

The Lightning would find themselves on the Penalty Kill early as Matt Carle would be sent to the box for 2 mins. for Roughing Brendan Gallagher. Unfortunately, this would open the door for the Montreal Canadiens to spend a good portion of that time in front of Ben Bishop and the Lightning net.

Unfortunately, the amount of time spent in the Lightning’s defensive zone allowed the Canadiens the opportunity to get themselves on the board first. Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry would find his way past the Bishop’s stick side and score his first post season goal and give the Canadiens the early lead.

A little over twelve minutes later, the Tampa Bay Lightning would do the absolute unthinkable. As P.K. Subban sat in the box for two minutes after a blatant and unnecessary cross-check to Ryan Callahan, the Tampa Bay Lightning pulled together and ended the Lightning’s incredibly long Power Play scoring drought.

Alex Killorn and Valtteri Filppula would pass the puck back and forth between each other before sending the puck more toward the center where defenseman Victor Hedman stood in wait. Hedman would then send the puck flying back to Filppula who would beat Carey Price on the glove side and tie this game up for the Lightning.

Unfortunately, with as much momentum as that late goal gave the Lightning, it didn’t seem to carry over into the second period. The Lightning allowed themselves to be sucked in penalty trap after penalty trap, spending four of the first six minutes of the period killing penalties. Then…it happened.

The Tampa Bay Lightning seemed to accomplish the impossible as Lightning captain Steven Stamkos finally broke his long and arduous scoring drought by putting the puck past Carey Price and into the back of the net to give the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 lead over the Canadiens.

It would seem as if the Lightning is using their frustrations to their advantage and somehow generate them into scoring chances. Speaking of scoring chances…who the heck is this Power Play squad and what have you done with the Tampa Bay Lightning?

Just over the twelve minute mark in the second period, as penalties to Alexei Emelin, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Tom Gilbert found the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 4-on-3 situation, the Lightning would once again capitalize on the Power Play with a goal from right wing Nikita Kucherov.

We have said time and time again that if the Lightning would find a way to start capitalizing on the Power Play that they would be near unstoppable. It would seem as if the Lightning have realized this as well and have started to do what they need to do in order to get the job done.

The Tampa Bay Lightning would keep their newfound momentum rolling into the third period. Canadiens center Torrey Mitchell would find himself in the box for absolutely bowling over Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop, garnering a Goaltender Interference penalty.

Once again, the Tampa Bay Lightning would spectacularly capitalize on the man advantage and Nikita Kucherov would tip in a shot from his Triplet linemate Tyler Johnson and give the Lightning four goal lead over the Montreal Canadiens.

Unfortunately, that lead would not last forever as the Canadiens would get one back with a slapshot goal from Gilbert. The assists on Gilbert’s goal would be awarded to Emelin and Devante Smith-Pelly. This would bring the score to 5-2 Lightning.

Of course, this new and inspired Tampa Bay Lightning could not let this stand. In the final four minutes of the game, Valtteri Filppula would fire the puck towards Price. Unfortunately, his shot was just a little off. Thakfully, J.T. Brown was there to save the day as his redirection sailed up and into the back of the net, giving the Lightning a 6-2 lead over the Canadiens.

The Canadiens would try everything they could to get back on top, even Brandon Prust making moves on Braydon Coburn behind the net, but it was simply not enough to get the Habs back on track or in any way back in this game.

Being completely honest, about halfway through the third period, silence had fallen over the Bell Centre and before the Brown goal had even found its way into the back of the net the tide had shifted and the Montreal fans were filing out of their seats in droves.

Even the commentators on NBC Sports made note of the silence in the final minute of the game, noting that a majority of the fans had already made their way out of the building. At this point, there is wonder as to whether or not there will even be another game at the Bell Centre this season.

There is no denying that this is one of the best games that the Tampa Bay Lightning has played so far in the post season, and that is saying a lot considering some of the amazing contests they had against the Detroit Red Wings in Round 1.

The Power Play that we remember has made its re-emergence, Steven Stamkos has broken his ridiculously long scoring drought, and the Tampa Bay Lightning has learned how to overcome great adversity and work together as a team to dominate the ice.

Now, the Tampa Bay Lightning head back to the Amalie Arena in Tampa for a back-to-back series which kicks off on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. Are you ready to bring this baby back to Hockey Paradise and show the Montreal Canadiens what it’s like to play in our house? We know we are!

Next: Tampa Bay Lightning: The Night The Team Grew Up

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